Portable terminal and display data editing method for the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a portable terminal and a display data editing method for the same capable of easily changing preliminarily stored display data to any expression preferable to the user. A display processor  3   e   1  controls the writing and read-out data in and out of a memory unit  5 , and provides various displays on a display part  4  according to registered display data. An editing processor  3   c  edits the display data on a display and also collectively edits duplicated display data in response to key operation in a key entry unit  3   c . A retrieving processor  3   e   3  retrieves any duplicated display data in the editing subject display data before change and after change.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable terminal and, more particularly, toa portable terminal such as a portable telephone set and a display dataediting method for the same, which permit changing display data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A prior art portable terminal has functions to permit various settingson a menu display or the like depending on a plurality of display items.Display data on a display screen for function settings or the like arepreliminarily fixedly registered by the manufacturer. The user does suchoperations as various settings, communications, mail transmissions andreceptions, etc., based on the display items.

Up to date, a portable terminal constitutes a part of fashion andliving, and users who set waiting displays, call signals with melodies,etc. to suit their own taste in addition to decoration of the exteriorsof their portable terminals, are increasing.

A portable terminal is known to set a menu display by down-loadinggraphic user interfaces corresponding to the user's tastes or purposesof use from a menu display providing server via internet (See Japanesepatent publication, JP2003-5883A1).

Functions provided by portable terminals are ever increase and areapproaching to those of PCs. Correspondingly, the number of displays isincreasing, and the quantity of display data is becoming enormous.Despite such circumstances, display characters are held to the leastnecessary number due to limitation disposed on the display screen sizeby size reduction of the portable terminal. Furthermore, there ariseundesired situations that it is difficult to understand contents ormeanings of display data because display data for particular functionsappear in a plurality of different displays.

In the portable terminal disclosed in the above patent publication,although it is possible to change the menu display by down-loading asubstitute display via internet, the user can not easily change thedisplay data by the unit of display data or the like or edit the data asdesired.

Accordingly, it can improve convenience and enhance ease of use of suchportable wireless terminal if the user can change display data ofdisplay items on various displays to expressions readily understandableby the use. Also, in the case that the user can change the display data,from the consideration of the possibility of duplication due tolimitation imposed on the number of characters, it is preferable suchthat the user can easily confirm the duplication of all displays in ashort time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide aportable terminal and a display data editing method for the same, inwhich display items on the display can be changed to user's ownrepresentation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portableterminal and a display data editing method for the same, in whichdisplay data of the display items displayed on the display screen of theportable terminal can be freely changed as subject dealt with, forinstance can be made to representations readily understandable by theuser so as to improve readiness of use and to be friendly to the user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portableterminal and a display data editing method for the same, in which at thetime of display data change a check can be made as to the same displaydata used in other displays (duplication check), thereby easilypermitting unification of display items.

An aspect of the present invention is a portable terminal comprising adisplay unit for providing displays, a memory unit for storing displaydata including editable display data, a key entry unit for enteringdisplay data, a display processor for providing displays to the displayunit by writing display data in and reading out the same from the memoryunit and an editing processor for changing display data on the displayunit for each display with display data entered from the key entry unit.

In the portable terminal, it is preferable that the display processorhas a switching function to switch the display data on the display to anediting display with a cursor for changing, and the editing processorhas an editing function to change the display data at the cursorposition on the editing display in response to an operation of the keyentry unit.

Preferably, the portable terminal further comprises a retrievingprocessor for retrieving the same display data as editing subjectdisplay data before change, and the editing processor collectivelychanges the same display data retrieved for in the retrieval processortogether with the editing subject display data before change.

It is also preferable that the display processor has a display functionto provide a retrieving result of the display data before changecontaining display specifying data specifying a display containing thesame display data found as a result of retrieving in the retrievalprocessor and permitting changing of the same display data by selectionfrom the key entry unit, and the editing processor has a function tochange the same display data on the display selected with the retrievingresult of the display data before change.

In the portable terminal, it is also preferable that the displayprocessor has a display shifting function to shift the display to apertinent display with selection of the display specifying data on theretrieving result of the display data before change.

Moreover, it is preferable that the retrieving processor has aretrieving function to retrieve the same display data as the displaydata after change, and the editing processing part has a collectivelychanging function for collectively changing the display data containingthe same display data as the display data after change retrieved in theretrieving processor together with the display data before change.

It is preferable in the portable terminal that the display processor hasa display function to provide a retrieving result display of the displaydata after change containing display specifying data, which specifies adisplay containing the same display data as the retrieving result in theretrieving processor and is capable of setting the changing of the samedisplay data with selection in the key entry unit, and the editingprocessor has a function to change the same display data on the displayselected with the retrieving result display of the display data afterchange.

It is also preferable in the portable terminal that the displayprocessor has a display shifting function to shift the display to apertinent display with selection of the display specifying data on theretrieving result display of the display data after change.

It is preferable in the portable terminal that the memory unit storessubordinate data relevant to the display data and including at leastlimited number of characters and font data, the display processorprovides display data according to the subordinate data, and the editingprocessor edits editing subject display data according to thesubordinate data.

It is also preferable in the portable terminal that the displayspecifying data is the data for operation procedure of a waiting displaypreliminarily registered as the subordinate data of the display data anda display containing the display data.

Finally, it is preferable in the portable terminal that the displaycontaining the editing subject display data is a function set-up menudisplay for the portable terminal.

Another aspect of the present invention is a display data editing methodfor a portable terminal capable of providing different displays to adisplay unit according to display data stored in a memory unit,comprising the steps of switching a given display to an editing display,changing the display data on the editing display with operation of a keyentry unit, and storing the changed display data in the memory unit.

In the display data editing method for a portable terminal, it ispreferable to further comprise the steps of providing a cursor displayfor the editing subject display data on the editing display, andchanging the display data at the cursor position.

Preferably, the display data editing method for a portable terminalfurther comprises the steps of retrieving the same display data as theediting subject display data before change in the display data andcollectively changing the same data together with the editing subject ofthe display data before change.

Preferably, the display data editing method for a portable terminalfurther comprises the steps of providing a retrieval result display ofthe display data before change containing display specifying data, thedisplay specifying data being a data specifying a display containing thesame display data as a result of retrieving and capable of setting thechanging of the same display data with selection in the key entry unit,and changing the same display data on the display selected with theretrieving result display before change.

It is preferable in the display data editing method for a portableterminal that changing to the display can be made with selection of thedisplay specifying data on the retrieving specifying display beforechange.

Preferably, the display data editing method for a portable terminalfurther comprises the steps of retrieving the same display data as thedisplay data after change, and collectively changing the display datacontaining the same display data as the retrieved display data afterchange together with the display data before change.

It is preferable that the display data editing method for a portableterminal further comprising the steps of providing a retrieving resultdisplay after change containing display specifying data, the displayspecifying data being data specifying a display containing the samedisplay data as a result of retrieving and capable of set-up thechanging of the same display data with selection in the key entry unit,and changing the same display data on the display selected with theretrieval result display after change.

It is preferable in the display data editing method for a portableterminal that the selection of the display specifying information on theretrieving result display after change enables to switch to theapplicable display.

It is preferable in the display data editing method for a portableterminal that the memory unit stores subordinate data relating to thedisplay data including at least the limited number of characters andfont data, displaying the display data according to the subordinatedata, and editing the subject display data according to the subordinatedata.

It is preferable in the display data editing method for a portableterminal that the display specifying data is data of operation procedurefrom a waiting display preliminarily registered as subordinate data tothe display data till a display including the display data.

It is preferable in the display data editing method for a portableterminal that the display containing the editing subject display data isa menu display of function set-up in the portable terminal.

According to the present invention, the portable terminal permits theuser to freely change display data on preliminarily registered displays,thus permitting its readiness of use.

Particularly, display items which are independently editable forindividual displays, can be suitably changed to suitablerepresentations, and thus they can be suitably changed in conformity tothe frequency and states of user's use concerning the functions of theportable terminal.

For the display data change, all the display data possessed by theportable terminal are retrieved for duplication check, the check resultsare displayed as a list on the display screen, from which a setting ismade, without interruption of the editing, as to whether pertinentdisplay data on displays including duplicate display data are to besubstituted for. Thus, it is possible to substitute for the same dataselectively and correctively, thus permitting simply changing of datafree from discrepant representations at a time.

Also, with such an arrangement that duplication checks are made on thechanged display data as well, it is possible to cancel changed displaydata, thereby avoiding inconvenience.

According to the invention, changes to representations for childrenwithout use of Chinese characters, localism representations such aslocal language versions, foreign language representations, etc., can bereadily made depending on the user's age, nationality, district ofresidence, etc. of the portable terminal.

Moreover, with such an arrangement that display data having been editedon the portable terminal can be transferred to other portable terminalsvia interface (e.g., USB, IrDA, Bluetooth, etc.) possessed by theportable terminal, mail, etc., it is possible to permit effectiveutilization of edited display data and cope with collections or the likeof display data transferred from any other portable terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is an outer view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the portable terminal accordingto the present invention,

FIG. 3 shows an example of displays provided in the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a data editing function startroutine;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a data input/editing functionroutine;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a data input/registration routine indata editing;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 shows displays provided in the case that no duplication ispresent in the display data before change is made;

FIG. 9 shows displays provided in the case that the same display data isincluded as a result of retrieval;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a data input/editing functionroutine;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating data input in data editing;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a data retrieval and registrationroutine;

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 shows an example of displays provided in the case that noduplication is present in non-changed and changed display data;

FIG. 15 shows an example of displays in the case that duplication ispresent in the display data before change while no duplication ispresent in the display data after change;

FIG. 16 shows an example of displays in the case that no duplication ispresent in present in the display data before change while duplicationis present in the display data after change; and

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a data retrieval and registrationroutine in the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described hereunder ingreater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an outer appearance of a portable terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention. The portable terminal has on theoutside a key input unit 100 with a keyboard having keys, push buttons,etc. for various key input operations, a display unit 200 having aliquid crystal display screen for providing various displays (i.e.,function displays), a microphone, a loudspeaker, etc. The key input unit100 serves to control the functions of the embodiment of the portableterminal, and it includes a “Menu” key 101 for starting a menu function,an SK1 key 102 disposed at a position corresponding to a guide display(i.e., a lower left position) on the display screen for designating theoperation of guide contents, such as display data change, an SK2 key 103for likewise designating the operation of guide contents of a guidedisplay (a lower right), such as confirmation (or execution), a ● key104 for starting a predetermined function such as display switching, a *key 106 and a # key 107, and ▴ and ▾ keys for selecting a display itemor the like as well as shifting a cursor.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the portable terminal. Referencenumeral 1 designates a key input unit for receiving key inputs from keysprovided in the portable terminal. Reference numeral 2 designates acommunication unit having a microphone and a loudspeaker for inputtingand outputting voice data. Reference numeral 3 designates a control unitfor controlling the portable terminal as a whole. Reference numeral 4designates a display unit for providing various displays concerningcommunication of the portable terminal, and also providing variousfunction displays on the basis of preliminarily registered operationroutines for providing various function displays, and further providingdisplays for changing data in an editing routine. Reference numeral 5designates a memory unit including a memory or the like for storingdisplay data including editable display data (referred to as “displaydata”) such as text data to be provided on the display and also othervarious data such as pertinent data to be described hereinafter.

The control unit 3 has a key code recognizer 3 a, a display controller 3b for controlling displaying, editing, etc. according to the invention,and a voice processing part 3 c. The display controller 3 b has adisplay processor 3 b 1 for executing display control necessary forcontrolling the editing and so forth according to the invention, and anediting processor 3 b 2 started on each display for editing such displaydata as text data provided on the display screen.

Now, the functions of the display controller 3 b in this embodiment willbe described in greater detail.

The display processor 3 b 1 has a function of providing waiting displaysof various functions corresponding to normal transmission and reception,function setting, etc. and also communication displays for transmissionand reception, communication, etc. In addition, the display processor 3b 1 has functions display control functions of providing such displaydata as menu display (i.e., main menu display), various displays such asvarious selection displays (i.e. menu displays) subordinate to the maindisplay, editing displays with cursor as editing mode concerning displaydata on pertinent function displays, editing history displays,after-change displays after display data changes in editing andoutputting these display data in switching as desired, for displayprovision by the display unit 4.

The display processor 3 b 1 is utilized in an image data producingroutine for reading out image data and pertinent data theretopreliminarily stored in the memory unit 5 and executing the abovementioned display. Also, the display processor 3 b 1 has functions ofstoring, in editing set-up state, display data of function displaysafter editing in the memory unit 5 and executing a registration routine.

The display data stored in the memory unit 5 includes, as a series ofimage data concerning the menu display, the main menu display andindividual layer selection displays in hierarchical structure of aselection branch started from a pertinent display, and also includesdata associated with text data such as the number of characters andfonts of display items on individual selection displays.

The display processor 3 b 1 has a function of registering display datachange on the editing display in the memory unit 5 in a user's decisionoperation and a function of provisionally setting and displaying thedisplay data change until the registration.

FIG. 3 shows an example of practical displays in a first embodiment.This example concerns an operation of changing display data of selectionitems on the menu display. Display 10 is a set-up display provided atthe time of depression, in the waiting display, of the “MENU” key 101.The display 10 contains various display data (such as “Settings”,“Phone” and “Phone nodes”. “Setting” is a title representing the kind ofset-up items on the display; for example “Phone” is a selection itemdirected to the telephone function and “Phone mode” is selection itemsdirected to communication, transmission/reception, etc. Usually,individual selected items and also selected displays of detailedselection items having titles representing individual display data aredeveloped on the display screen. Symbol “M1” at the right upper positionon the display screen is a display specifying information and indicatesa display at the time of selecting “Phone” subsequent to the depressionof the “MENU” key 101 in the waiting display. That is, the symbolindicates the operation routine for operating keys in the waitingdisplay for providing the pertinent display.

With the display 10, by depressing the * key 106 for an extended time(long depression), the editing function for editing the display data isinitiated and an initial stage display for editing function 11 isdisplayed. A judgment can be made whether the editing function isinitiated or not by presence/absence of a cursor on the display 11.

On the display 11, the cursor position can be appropriately moved to thedesired direction by the ▴ or ▾ key 105. A display that appears when thecursor is moved to “Phone modes” desired to be edited is an editingfunction display 12, on which the selected item is displayed on a meshor the like.

In this particular example, the display data “Phone modes” beforechanging is changed to “Mode”. “Mode” is entered in alphabet from thekey input unit 1 for setting up to a display 13 after data entry. Afterconfirming that the display content of the display 13 has no problem, a● key 104 is depressed to execute a confirmation routine for registeringthe change in the text data.

Similarly, with various displays, by specifying the subject to be edited(i.e., display item) with the cursor after switching to the editiondisplay and changing the individual display data with text input fromthe key input unit 1 and depressing the ● key 104, it is possible tochange display items as desired.

Now, the operation routines in the portable terminal and the displaydata editing method for the same embodying the present invention will bedescribed with reference to flowcharts.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a start-up routine for data editingfunction. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a data input-editingfunction routine. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a dataentry/registration routine in data editing.

In the start-up routine as shown in FIG. 4, with any display (step S1)provided in the portable terminal, a check is always made (step S2) tosee if the * key for starting the editing function has been depressedfor an extended time. When the * key has been depressed for an extendedtime, a check is made to see if the data editing function is in force(step S3). If the data editing function is found to have been started,the editing function is cancelled to terminate the routine (step S4) andthe normal display is restored (step S1). If it is found in step S3 thatthe editing function failed to start, a check is made to see any displaydata is present on the display (step S5). If no display data is found,the normal display is restored (step S1). If any display data ispresent, the routine goes to the data editing function routine in FIG. 5(step S6).

In the data editing routine as shown in FIG. 5, a data editing functioninitial stage display such as the display 11 (FIG. 3) appears (stepS10). The fact that the editing function is in the starting state isshown by providing a cursor to the display data as shown on the display11 (step S11). Since the cursor display is also found in the normaldisplay, a cursor of different color from that in the normal display isused so that it can be readily distinguished by the user. In the case ofselecting display data that the user desired for editing by the ▴ or ▾key operation, the cursor is shifted to display data corresponding tothe pertinent key operation (step S11). As shown in the display 12,read-out are such data as the font size and the maximum number ofcharacters to be entered pertinent to the display data with cursor oroperation routines from the waiting display as registered displayspecifying data (step S12). On the display 10, the operation procedureinformation is the “M1” display information in the upper right part onthe display. “M” means depression of the “MENU” key; more specificallyit means that the display 10 appears by depressing the “MENU” key on thewaiting display and then depressing the “1” key. After reading out thepertinent information to the display data (step S12), the routine goesto a data entry routine as shown in FIG. 6 (step S13).

In the data entry routine as shown in FIG. 6, a check is made to see ifthe * key for canceling the editing function has been depressed for anextended time (step S20). If the * key has been depressed for anextended time, the editing routine is terminated and the display 10 isrestored (step S4). Otherwise, it goes to the character entry waitingstep (step S21). If any character is entered, the entered character (orcharacters) is displayed at the cursor position (step S22), and a checkis made to see if the entered characters do not exceed the maximumnumber obtained in relation to the display data (step S23). If theentered characters do not exceed the maximum number, the cursor isshifted by one character to the right of the character where the cursoris inputted (step S24). If the entered characters have reached themaximum number, a check is made without cursor shift to see if the nextentered key is the ● key for data registration (step S25). If the ● keyfor the data registration is depressed, the data registration routine isexecuted (step S14). After termination of the data registration routine,the routine goes back to the data editing function routine as shown inFIG. 5 for editing the next display data. At this time, the editingroutine can be continued by making a check to see if the + key isdepressed for an extended time to terminate the editing. If it isdetected in step S15 that the * key has been depressed for an extendedtime in the step S15, the editing routine is terminated and the display10 is restored (step S4).

In the above routine operations, it is possible to change independentdisplay data on any display as desired by the user.

Second Embodiment

An example of changing display data used on a particular display withthe editing function has been described in the above first embodiment.As a result of such editing, it is possible to make an error in theset-up operation due to lack of uniformity in the case that the samedisplay data before change is used with a pertinent display or a relatedother display.

A second embodiment is arranged assuming that the same display data asediting subject display data having been edited with a particulardisplay is used on a pertinent display or a different display. In thiscase, in a decision operation (depression of the ● key) after set-up ofdisplay data change, it is made possible to readily execute, withoutdata entry by depression of any predetermined operation key, theintended change by automatically starting a display data retrievingroutine and retrieving for the same display data before the registeringoperation. Alternatively, it is made possible to execute the intendedchange at a time by specifying one or more displays to be changed whileconfirming the prevailing display.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the second embodiment ofthe invention. The second embodiment has the following construction andfunctions in addition to the construction and functions of the firstembodiment. More specifically, the display controller 3 d 1 has aretrieving processor 3 d 3 in addition to the display processor 3 d 1and the editing processor 3 d 2.

The retrieving processor 3 d 3 has functions performed in an interlockedrelation to a user's key entry operation (depression of the ● key) forcertifying the set-up of the display data change as shown in FIG. 3.Specifically, these functions are retrieving display data contained in arelated display or the like from the data in the memory unit 5,specifying a display on which the same display data is retrieved arespecified by the display specifying data (i.e., operation routineinformation such as M12 or the like) based on the retrieving result, andinforming it to the display processor 3 d 1.

The display processor 3 d 1 has, in addition to the function ofoutputting display data as in the first embodiment, a function ofproviding a retrieving result display showing the display specifyingdata as a retrieval result display to the display unit 4 and a functionof provisionally setting and showing display data change on theretrieving result display. Thus, the display data change is retaineduntil its confirmation through the entire display that it is done as adisplay item collectively on other displays as well. In the case thatthe change went wrong or inconvenient, a user's registration cancelingroutine or the like is made possible. The part 3 d 1 further has afunction, provided at the time of changing the same display data byuser's selection, of delivering the same display data on the display tothe editing processor 3 d 2. The editing processor 3 d 2 has a functionof collectively changing the display data sent out of the displayprocessor 3 d 1.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are examples of featuring practical displays in the secondembodiment. Specifically, they show display operations in the case ofpresence of duplicated display data in a duplication check at the timeof display data check as in the first embodiment. In the display dataretrieving routine, a duplication check is made on the display databefore change. The data editing function is the same as that in thedisplay data change as shown in FIG. 3. A display operation example ofthe display data duplication check before change will be described inconnection with the presence or absence of “Phone modes”.

FIG. 8 shows practical displays in data editing in the case free fromany duplication in the display data before change. As shown in the FIG.8, in the case free from data duplication in the display data beforechange, displayed is the same display 14 as in the first embodiment atthe time of depression of the ● key. Again in the case, at the time ofdisplay data change a check is made by retrieving to see if otherdisplay data “Phase modes” has been used in duplication. Since there isno duplicated display data, the “Mode” entered in the display 13 isregistered in substitution for the “Phone modes” registered in thememory unit 4, thereby displaying the data registration display 14 afterthe substitution.

FIG. 9 shows an example of practical displays in the case of presence ofthe same display data found as a result of retrieving. The result of theduplication check of the display data before change is shown as the dataretrieval result display before change 15. Displayed on the display 15is the display specifying data “M12” of display 16 that is extracted asthe presence of the same display data found in the duplication check.

In the retrieving result display before change 15, change is made toconfirm by switching to the display 16 that is specified by the “M12” bydepressing the ● key 104. It can be understood that the above displaydata “Phone modes” before change is used in duplication as the titledisplay data on the display 16. If the display specifying data of aplurality of displays (not shown) is displayed, the individual displays16 appear selectively by shifting the cursor to the respective displayspecifying data with the ▴ or ▾ key.

After confirming that the “Phone modes” is shown on the display 16, thedata retrieval result display before change 15 can be restored bydepressing the SK2 key 103. Similarly, the SK1 “Change” key is depressedfor chaining the display data “Phone modes” of the display 16 to the“Mode” on the display 15. By doing so, displayed is the data retrievingresult set-up display 17 with a check mark to display specifyinginformation of the display of the change setting.

In this case, a check mark is provided on a box on the left side of thedisplay specifying data “M12” on the display data retrieving resultset-up display 17. In this condition, a certifying routine is executedwith the “Phone modes” of the display specifying data “M12” as a subjectof substitution for the display data “Mode” as well as the “Phone mode”of the display specifying data “M1” as the present editing subject. Inthe certifying routine, the changing of the text data of change settingmade at the time of depression of the SK2 “Done” key is registered inthe memory unit 5.

Specifically, with the data retrieving result display before change 15,by depressing the SK2 “Done” key without providing any check mark to thebox for the display specifying information “M12”, as shown in the upperdisplay 14 in FIG. 9, the “Phone modes” in the second line is changed tothe “Mode”, while the “Phone modes” on the display 16 of the displaydata specifying information before change M12 is not changed. With thedata retrieving result display before change 15, by depressing the SK2“Done” key after providing a check mark to the box for the displayspecifying data M12 (display 17), as shown in the lower displays 14 and18 in FIG. 9, the “Phone modes” in the second line of the displayspecifying information M1 is changed to the “Mode”, and the “Phonemodes” of the display specifying information M12 is changed to the“Mode”.

Now, the operation routines in the second embodiment of the portableterminal and the display data editing method for the portable terminalwill be described with reference to flowcharts. In the secondembodiment, since the data editing function start-up routine is the sameas that in FIG. 4 for the first embodiment, description will be madewith reference to the flowchart in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a data entry/editing function routine.FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing data entry in data editing. FIG. 12 is aflowchart showing a data retrieving/registering routine.

In the data editing function start-up routine in the second embodiment,on a given display provided in the portable terminal (step S1 in FIG.4), a check is made to see if the * key for initiating the editingfunction is depressed for an extended time (step S2 in FIG. 4). If the *key is depressed, a check is made to see if the editing function hasbeen initiated (step S3 in FIG. 4). If the editing function has beeninitiated, the editing function is cancelled to terminate the routine(step S4 in FIG. 4) and the normal display is restored (step S1 in FIG.4). If the editing function is not yet initiated, a check is made to seeif any display data is present on the display (step S5 in FIG. 4). Inthe absence of any display data, the normal display is restored (step S1in FIG. 4). In case of the presence of any display data, it goes to thedata editing function routine as shown in FIG. 10 (see S6 in FIG. 4).

In the editing function routine as shown in FIG. 10, an editing functioninitial stage display such as the display 11 first appears (step S10).Whether the editing function is in force is shown by the cursor as inthe display 11 (step S11). Similarly to the first embodiment, adifferent color cursor from that for the normal display is provided. Ifthe user selects a display data desired to edit by operating the ▴ or ▾key, the cursor is shifted to the display data in response to the keyoperation (step S11). Acquired is the font size or the maximum number ofcharacters to be entered associated with the display data with cursorsuch as the display 12 or the display specifying information (e.g., M1,M12, etc.) (step S12). After reading out the information associated withthe display data (step S12), it goes to the data entry routine as shownin FIG. 11 (step S13).

In the data entry routine as shown in FIG. 11 (step 13), a check is madeto see if the * key for canceling the editing function is depressed foran extended time (step S20). If the * key is depressed for an extendedtime, the editing routine is terminated and the display 10 is restored.Otherwise, it goes to the character entry waiting mode (step S21). Ifany character is entered, check is made on the entered character at thecursor position (step S23). Unless the entered characters do not exceedthe maximum number, the cursor is shifted by one character to the rightof the cursor position (step S24). If the maximum number of charactershave been entered, a check is made, without cursor shift, to see if thenext entered is the ● key for data registration (step S25). If the ● keyis depressed, it goes to the data retrieving routine in FIG. 12 (stepS16).

In the data retrieving routine as shown in FIG. 12 (step 16), aretrieving routine for display data before change is executed (stepS30). In the retrieving routine for display data before change, aduplication check is made to see if the display data before change isused on any other display (step S31).

In the absence of any data, there is no duplication in the display databefore change and a substituting routine based on the data retrievingresult after change is assumed to be the sole routine to be executed. Inthe data has been used, provided is the data retrieving result displaybefore change such as display 15 (step S32). At this time, the cursor isshifted to the “M12” provided on the display 15 (step S33) and the * keyis depressed to provide the display 16 for the purpose of confirmationduring editing of the display 16 (step S34). After confirmation ofdisplayed contents on the display 16, the display 15 is restored. Incase of changing the data displayed on the display 16 to the same “Mode”as the display 15 (step S35), change set-up can be effected bydepressing the SK1 “Change” key. The display that is set is the dataretrieving result set-up display 17 (step S26). In the display 17, ifthere is any other subject display (step S37), the display is similarlyset after confirmation. Subsequently, the data registration routine isexecuted by depressing the SK2 key “Done” (step S14).

After termination of the data registering routine, it returns to thedata editing function routine as shown in FIG. 10 for editing the nextdisplay data. At this time, a check is made to see if the editingroutine is terminated by depressing the * key for an extended time (stepS15), thereby enabling to continue the editing routine. If it isdetected that the * key is depressed for an extended time in step S15,the editing routine is terminated and the display 10 is restored (stepS4).

In the above operation routine, it is possible to change, with a givendisplay, the display data desired by the user collectively withduplication display data provided on a different display or the like.

Third Embodiment

The second embodiment described above is an example of changing displaydata on a particular display with data input and also changing the datacollectively with the same display data on a different display ordisplays. However, the result of such editing may be the case thatchanged display data is used on the pertinent display or a differentdisplay relevant thereto. This means lack of uniformity, leading to suchpossibility as erroneous set-up operation. Also, the first change (i.e.,change of the “Phone mode” to the “Mode”) may be inadequate.Accordingly, in a third embodiment a duplication check of changeddisplay data is made as well.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment of the presentinvention. The third embodiment of the present invention has thefollowing construction and functions in addition to those of the firstand second embodiments. That is, in this embodiment, the displaycontroller 3 e has a retrieving processor 3 e 3 in addition to a displayprocessing part 3 e 1 and an editing processing part 3 e 2 like those inFIG. 7.

The retrieving processor 3 e 3 has a function provided in an interlockedrelation to a user's key entry operation (i.e., depression of the ● key)to certify the change set-up of display data as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8.This function is to retrieve display data contained on a relevantdisplay or the like. As a result of the retrieving, the retrievingprocessor 3 e 3 specifies any display containing the same display dataretrieved for according to the display specifying data of the display,and informs it to the display processor 3 e 1.

Additionally, the retrieving processor 3 e 3 has a function ofperforming a data retrieving routine for display data after change bytaking the data retrieving result for display data before change intoconsideration. In other words, in the display data retrieving routine,the retrieving processor 3 e 3 makes a duplication check of both of thedisplay data before and after change.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show examples of featuring practical displays in thethird embodiment. Specifically, the Figures show display operationexamples in the presence of duplicated display data found in theduplication check made at the time of changing editing subject displaydata. In the display data retrieving routine, performed are firstduplication check of the display data before change and secondduplication check of the display data after change.

Similarly to the second embodiment, as the duplication check in thisexample, the display data before change is checked with respect to the“Phone modes” and the display data after change is checked with respectto the “Mode”.

Such change example is, for instance, a case that the term “Mode” isused in a large number of display items; that is, it is based on auser's desire to provide for unified single expression of the “Mode” foralleviating the difficulty in understanding.

FIG. 14 shows practical displays free from any duplication in thedisplay data before and after change. In the third embodiment, performedare first duplication check of the display data before change and secondduplication chick of the display data after change, but it is set thatno retrieving result display appears before and after the change. Thesame is true with the editing displays (FIGS. 4 and 8) in the first andsecond embodiments.

FIG. 15 show practical displays in case of presence of duplication inthe display data before change but no duplication in the display dataafter change. In this case, duplication is detected only in theduplication check of the display data before change, and it is set thatno retrieving result display appears after the change. Thus, this is thesame as in the case of the editing display (FIG. 9) in the secondembodiment. In case of absence of duplication in the display data afterchange, by depressing the SK2 key under condition of display 15 or 17,the retrieving result display after change 19 (to be described later)does not appear, but the displays 14 and 18 or the display 16 remain,respectively.

FIG. 16 shows practical displays in case of absence of duplication inthe display data before change and presence of duplication in thedisplay data after change. In this case, duplication is detected only inthe duplication check of the display data after change, and no retrievalresult display before change 15 is displayed.

When it is found as a result of retrieving of the display data afterchange on the display 13 that display data containing the “Mode” ispresent on any other display, provided is the retrieving result displayafter change 19. The display 19 appears because of the fact that thedisplay data after change on the display 10 of editing subject displayspecifying data “M1” contains the “Mode” and that the display 20containing display specifying data “M873” (coming up by depressing, withthe waiting display, the “Menu” key, the “8” key, the “7” key and the“3” key in this order) also contains the “Mode” as the “Mode editing”.The display 19 thus indicates that both the display data including the“Mode” are extracted in the duplication check. In this example, no otherduplications are shown for simplicity.

By confirming the content of the display 20 and depressing the SK2 key“Done” with the display 19, an operation with no display datasubstitution is possible as shown in the displays 12 and 20.

Also, with the display 21, it is possible to set substitution of “Mode”for both the displays of the “M873” and the “M1” and an operation ofsubstituting display data for the “Mode” as shown in the displays 14 and22 by depressing the SK2 key “Done”.

Now, the operation routines in the third embodiment of the portableterminal and the display data editing method according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to flowcharts. The operationfor initiating the data editing function in the third embodiment is thesame as the one in the flow chart as shown in FIG. 4 for the firstembodiment, and operations for the data editing and data entry functionsare the same as those in FIGS. 10 and 11 for the second embodiment.Thus, these flowcharts (FIGS. 4, 10 and 11) will be used in thefollowing description.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing data retrieving and registration routinesin the third embodiment.

In the data editing function start-up routine in the third embodiment,with a given display provided on the portable terminal (step S1 in FIG.4), check is made to see if the * key for initiating the editingfunction is depressed for an extended time (step S2 in FIG. 4). If the *key is depressed for an extended time, check is made to see if theediting function has been started (step S3). If the editing function isin force, it is cancelled to terminate the routine (step S4 in FIG. 4),and the normal display is restored (step S1 in FIG. 4). If the editingfunction is not started yet, check is made to see if there is anydisplay data on the display (step S5 in FIG. 4). If there is no displaydata, the normal display is restored (step S1 in FIG. 4). If there isany display data, it goes to the editing function routine in FIG. 10(step S6 in FIG. 10).

In the data editing function routine as shown in FIG. 10, the editingfunction initial stage display such as the display 11 (FIG. 14) appears(step S10. The fact that the editing function is being started is shownby a cursor as in the display 11 (step S11 in FIG. 10). Similarly to thefirst and second embodiments, used is a cursor in a different color fromthat in the normal display. If the user selects display data that he/shelikes to be edited by operating the ▴ or ▾ key, the cursor is shifted tothe display data corresponding to the key operation (step S11 in FIG.10). Read out is the font size or maximum input letter numbersubordinate to the display data with cursor like display 12 (FIG. 14) ordisplay specifying data (“M1”, “M12”, etc.) (step S12 in FIG. 10). Then,it goes to the data entry routine as shown in FIG. 11 (step S13 in FIG.10).

In the data entry routine (step 13 in FIG. 11), check is made to see ifthe * key for canceling the editing function is depressed for anextended time (step S20 in FIG. 11). If the * key is depressed for anextended time, the editing routine is terminated and the display 10(FIG. 14) is restored. Otherwise, it goes to the character entry state(step S21 in FIG. 11). If characters are entered, they are displayed atthe cursor position (step S22). Then, check is made to see if theentered characters are less than the maximum number (step S23 in FIG.11). Unless otherwise the entered characters are less than the maximumnumber, the cursor is shifted by one character to the right of theentered characters (step S24 in FIG. 11). If the entered charactersexceed the maximum number, check is made, without cursor shift, to seeif the ● key for data registration is depressed as the next entry key(step S25 in FIG. 11). If the ● key is depressed, it goes to the dataretrieving routine as shown in FIG. 12 (step S16 in FIG. 12).

In the data retrieving routine (FIG. 17), a retrieving routine for thedata before change (step S30) is first executed, in which check is madeto see if the display data before change is also used in any otherdisplay (step S31). If no such data is found, the display data beforechange is not duplicated, and executed in this case is only a datasubstitution routine based on the retrieving result for the display dataafter change.

If such data is used, as shown in FIG. 15, displayed is the retrievingresult for display data before change 15 (step S32). By shifting thecursor to the “M12” on the display 15 (step S33) and depressing the ●key, the display 16 of “M12” can be provide for confirmation duringediting (step S34). After confirming the display content on the display16, the display 15 is restored. When changing, with the display 15, thedata on the display 15 to the same “Mode” (step S35), the SK1 key“Change” is depressed, whereby substitution can be effective. Thedisplay that is set is the data retrieval result set-up display 17 (FIG.15) (step S36). If any other subject display is found on the display 17(step S37), the display is likewise confirmed and set.

If data confirmation of all the retrieval result for display data beforechange has been completed, executed is the retrieving routine for thedisplay data after change (step S40). Check is made to see if thedisplay data after change “Mode” has been used in any other display aswell (step S41). If such use has been found, provided is the retrievingresult display after change 19 (step S42).

If such use is not been found, substitution for the entered “Mode” ismade on the display 14 without provision of the display 19. If such useis found, provided is the retrieving result display after change 19(step S42).

By shifting the cursor to the “M873” as shown on the display 19 (stepS43) and depressing the ● key, it is possible to provide a pertinentdisplay 20 (step S44). After confirming the display content on thedisplay 20, the display 19 is restored. If changing the data on thedisplay 20 likewise to the “Mode” as well (step S45), the SK1 key“Change” is depressed, to provide the retrieving result set-up display21 with a check of marking the check box in front of the “M873” (stepS46).

If any other subject display is found on the display 21 (step S47), thedisplay is likewise confirmed and set. After checking all the retrievingresults (step S47), the display data substitution is done according tothe content set by depressing the SK2 key “Done” (step S15).

After termination of the data registering routine, execution goes backto the data editing function routine as shown in FIG. 10 for the nextdisplay data editing. Then, check is made to see if the * key isdepressed for an extended time (step S15 in FIG. 10). In case ofchanging other display data or display data on any other display, it ispossible to continue the editing routine. If it is detected in step S45that the * key is depressed for an extended time, the editing routine isterminated and the display 10 is restored (step S4).

In the above operation routines, it is possible, with a given display,to collectively change the users desired display data together with thedisplay data before change and after change as the duplicated displaydata contained in other displays.

It will be appreciated from the above description that when substitutingthe display data, duplication checks can be made of both data beforechange and after change. For data extracted in the retrieving routinefor the data before change, a setup can be made to see if substitutionto the same display data is to be done. If set-up of substitution ismade, collective substitution can be done without execution of editingoperation afresh with the same display. For data extracted in theretrieval routine for the data after change, a setting is made to see ifnew display data is to be entered fresh or substitution is to be donedirectly. By so doing, the user can readily substitute the user's owndisplay data while confirming the content.

Although the above embodiments have been described in connection withdisplay data changes within the portable display, it is possible to makefollowing arrangements. After improving the ease of use by the displaydata on the desired display, the portable terminal can be connected to apersonal computer for outputting data thereto. Also, it is possible topermit use of the same display data after change in other portableterminals or the like by transferring data thereto via IrDA, Bluetooth,etc.

Also, it is possible to arrange so as to permit securing of a memoryarea for preliminarily registered display data incapable of editing orregistering as a memory unit of the portable terminal separately fromthe memory area for display data capable of editing and registering,thereby permitting restoration of a display of display data at the timeof shipment with a resetting function of the portable terminal.

Furthermore, it is possible to arrange so that display changes in theportable terminal can be realized by receiving display data down-loadedfrom a server via internet. In this case, according to the invention itis very easily possible to arrange so that displays suited to the useror fitted to the user's tasted or interest even when the down-loadeddisplay is of such display data as “exclusively for children excludingany Chinese characters”, “local language versions for variousdistricts”, “exclusively for foreigners”, etc.

The present invention is suitably applicable to a portable telephoneset, a PHS (personal handy-phone system), a PDA (personal dataassistance, personal digital assistance; personal portable datacommunication system), etc.

1. A portable terminal comprising: a display unit; a memory unit whichstores first display data, the first display data being a display itemin a function set-up menu display; a key entry unit for entering seconddisplay data, the second display data being entered to change the firstdisplay data; and a display controller comprising: a display processorwhich provides an editing display and a first plurality of displays asfunction set-up menu displays to the display unit by reading the firstdisplay data from the memory unit, wherein said display unit displaysonly one display among the first plurality of displays and the editingdisplay at any given time; and an editing processor which changes thefirst display data of a display selected from the first plurality ofdisplays to the second display data; and a retrieving processor thatsearches the memory unit to determine which of the first plurality ofdisplays includes data that matches the second display data, wherein thedisplay processor provides a search result of the second display data,the search result containing display specifying data which identifiesone or more displays of the first plurality of displays containing thedisplay data that matches the second display data, wherein the displayprocessor controls the editing processor to change the display data thatmatches the second display data in response to the operation of the keyentry unit, and wherein the editing processor changes the display datathat matches the second display data on the one or more identifieddisplays provided by the search result.
 2. The portable terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein the display processor switches a currentdisplay which is displayed by the display unit to an editing displaywhich comprises a cursor, and the editing processor changes the firstdisplay data at a position of the cursor on the editing display to thesecond display data in response to an operation of the key entry unit.3. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the displayprocessor shifts a current display displayed on the display unit to apertinent display among the displays contained in the display specifyingdata.
 4. The portable terminal of claim 1, wherein the displaycontroller checks the display selected from the first plurality ofdisplays to determine if the first display data is present on theselected display.
 5. The portable terminal of claim 1, wherein theretrieving processor performs the search in response to a command fromthe user.
 6. The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 and2, wherein the memory unit stores subordinate data relevant to the firstdisplay data and including at least a limited number of characters andfont data, wherein the display processor provides the first display dataaccording to the subordinate data, and the editing processor changes thefirst display data according to the subordinate data.
 7. The portableterminal according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising aretrieving processor that searches the memory unit to determine which ofthe first plurality of displays includes display data that matches thefirst display data.
 8. The portable terminal of claim 7, wherein theretrieving processor performs the search in response to a command fromthe user.
 9. The portable terminal according to claim 7, wherein thedisplay processor provides a search result of the first display data,the search result containing display specifying data that identifies oneor more displays containing the display data that matches the firstdisplay data, wherein the display processor controls the editingprocessor to change the display data that matches the first display datain response to the operation of the key entry unit, and wherein theediting processor changes the display data that matches the firstdisplay data on the one or more displays provided by the search resultto the second display data.
 10. The portable terminal according to claim9, wherein the display processor shifts a current display displayed onthe display unit to a pertinent display among the displays contained inthe display specifying data.
 11. The portable terminal according toclaim 7, wherein the retrieving processor searches the memory unit todetermine whether any of the first plurality of displays contain thedata that matches the first display data in response to the editingprocessor changing the first display data on the editing display data tothe second display data, and wherein for each of the first plurality ofdisplays which are determined as containing the data that matches thefirst display data, the editing processor changes the data that matchesthe first display data to the second display data.
 12. The portableterminal according to claim 9, wherein the display specifying datacomprises operation procedure data for a waiting display preliminarilyregistered as subordinate data of the first display data and a displaycontaining the first display data.
 13. A display data editing method fora portable terminal capable of providing a first plurality of displaysto a display unit by reading out first display data stored in a memoryunit, the method comprising: switching a current display of the firstplurality of displays to an editing display; changing the first displaydata on the editing display and the first display data on the currentdisplay to second display data entered from a key entry unit, the firstdisplay data being a display item in a function set-up menu display andthe second display data being entered to change the first display data;storing the second display data in the memory unit, wherein said displayunit displays only one display among the first plurality of displays andthe editing display at any given time; and searching the memory unit todetermine which of the first plurality of displays includes data thatmatches the second display data, wherein the changing further comprises:searching the memory unit to determine which of the first plurality ofdisplays includes data that matches the second display data in responseto the changing of the first display data on the editing display to thesecond display data, and for each of the first plurality of displayswhich are determined as containing the data that matches the firstdisplay data, changing the retrieved first display data to the seconddisplay data.
 14. The display data editing method for a portableterminal according to claim 13, wherein the changing comprises providinga cursor on the editing display, and changing the first display data atposition of the cursor.
 15. The display data editing method for aportable terminal according to any one of claims 13 and 14, furthercomprising: storing, in the memory unit, subordinate data relating tothe first display data including at least a limited number of charactersand font data, displaying the display data according to the subordinatedata; and editing the first display data according to the subordinatedata.
 16. The display data editing method for a portable terminalaccording to any one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the first plurality ofdisplays comprises a menu display of function set-up in the portableterminal.
 17. The display data editing method for a portable terminalaccording to any one of claims 13 and 14, further comprising searchingthe memory unit to determine which of the first plurality of displaysincludes data that matches the first display data.
 18. The display dataediting method for a portable terminal according to claim 17, furthercomprising providing a search result display of the first display data,the search result containing display specifying data, the displayspecifying data identifying one or more displays containing the datathat matches the first display data; changing of the data that matchesthe first display data in response to an operation of the key entryunit; and changing the data that matches the first display data on thedisplays provided by the search result.
 19. The display data editingmethod for a portable terminal according to claim 18, wherein thechanging comprises selecting the display specifying data on thespecifying data display.
 20. The display data editing method for aportable terminal according to claim 19, wherein the display specifyingdata comprises operation procedure data for a waiting displaypreliminarily registered as subordinate data to the first display dataand a display including the first display data.
 21. The display dataediting method for a portable terminal according to claim 13, furthercomprising providing a search result of the second display data, thesearch result containing display specifying data, the display specifyingdata identifying one or more displays containing the data that matchesthe second display data; changing the data that matches the seconddisplay data in response to an operation of the key entry unit; andchanging the data that matches the second display data on the displayselected on the search result display.
 22. The display data editingmethod for a portable terminal according to claim 21, further comprisingswitching to an applicable display based on the display selected on thesearch result display.